Our History

Saltsburg, Pennsylvania is over 200 years old and participated in the
opening of the western frontier. It all began with the salt
industry.

About a mile above Saltsburg in 1795-98, a Mrs. Deemer was boiling
water from a nearby well when she noted a formation of crystals in the
bottom of the kettle. Those crystals were salt. Mrs. Deemer's
discovery led to the birth of an industry that over the next few
decades made the Conemaugh-Kiskiminetas Valley one of the leading salt
producers in the nation.

Mr. William Johnson was the area's first leading producer. By 1813,
his well yielded 30 bushels of salt per day. First Johnson used horse
power to bore and pump his salt from the wells; later he used a spring
pole; and ultimately, in 1825, a steam engine.

By 1819 "The Great Conemaugh Salt Works" was comprised of
twelve manufacturers. The primitive kettle that Mrs. Deemer has used
was replaced by large iron pans, 8 inches deep, 20 feet long and 10 or
11 feet wide. Coal was mined nearby and used as fuel for the steam
engines to both bore and pump.

The salt industry of the Conemaugh-Kiskiminetas Valley peaked in
the 1830's and in 1833 over four million pound of slat were shipped
over the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal.

By 1837, nearly all of the Conemaugh and Kiskiminetas salt wells
had played out,, and most of the salt operations had moved downstream.
The salt industry in Pennsylvania declined as cheaper sources of salt
which did not require the expense of boring, pumping and evaporation
were developed.

The early salt industry was the reason for Saltsburg's
establishment as a town, and in conjunction with the canal, created
the "boom" economy that made Saltsburg grow, and led to its
incorporation as a borough on April 16, 1838.

In the fall of 1816, Andrew and Jane Boggs purchased the land
situated in the beautiful valley at the confluence of the Conemaugh,
Loyalhanna and Kiskiminetas Rivers from Jane's brother William
Johnston. They immediately began selling lots in the tiny pioneer
settlement, naming it "Saltsburg" in honor of the salt
industry. The demand for property had greatly increased in the
vicinity of the Great Conemaugh Salt Works. From necessity, businesses
sprang up - coopers, blacksmiths, wagon makers, stone masons, and
carpenters; all having employment because of the thriving salt
industry. The location had an abundant supply of timber and stone for
building purposes and plenty of good water.

In 1838, Saltsburg was incorporated as a borough. The first
election was held August 11, 1838. Dr. Thomas Murray was the first
Burgess; John Williams, the first merchant; Simon Drum, the first
tanner and Daniel Davis, the first blacksmith. Some say the first
house was erected in 1819-1820 at the rear of the present day
Presbyterian Church lot on Salt Street, however, there were many
cabins on the site as early as 1800.

This was, in fact, the early beginning of Saltsburg, a small
settlement, soon to become a prosperous industrial center.

Mainline Canal

Industrial growth prompts better methods of transportation
necessary to the economic progress of a community. In the early
1800's, people watched the transition from wagons and horse travel
to the birth of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal which reached across
the state from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. It was the canal that
made it possible for salt and other raw and manufactured goods to be
transported more quickly to market, thus furnishing the essential ingredient
for the success of the area salt industry and of Saltsburg itself.
The 104 mile Western Division of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal ran
through Saltsburg as it connected with Johnstown and Pittsburgh. It
was the life blood of Saltsburg for nearly 30 years.

The canal, an artery of water 40 feet wide, cut through Saltsburg
in a graceful curve, following the near bank of the Conemaugh River
and crossing the town's major streets - Basin, Washington, Point,
Market, High, Salt, and Canal. Lock #8, a canal boat basin, and a
warehouse fronting the basin were located on the north end of
town.

The canal channels and tow paths (generally 62 feet wide) ran
along the river. Mules were led along the canal path to pull the
boats through the waterway. The channel was 4 feet deep and 28 feet
wide at the bottom of the prism and 40 feet wide at the water line.
Cut stone locks with chambers 90 feet long and 15 feet wide were
used to raise and lower the canal boats by closing and opening lock
gates to raise and lower the water level.

Contracts were let in the fall of 1827. Nathan Roberts was
contracted for the surveying and engineering of the Western
Division. The first passenger packet, the Pennsylvania,
arrived in Saltsburg May 15, 1829.

Saltsburg remains basically unchanged representing the typical
village which thrived as a result of the canal. With the death of
the canal, Saltsburg suffered and economic and demographic decline.
The canal could not compete with the dawning of the industrial age
and steam power. Before mid-century, the canal was replaced by
railroad.

Railroad construction began to advance toward Saltsburg between
1845 and 1854. Contracts were awarded for a railroad bridge spanning
the Kiskiminetas River (the piers are still standing) and a
passenger and freight station to be located in Saltsburg in 1855 -
1856 by the Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Saltsburg resident and Pennsylvania Senator Samuel S. Jamison was
the contractor for both the stone bridge carrying the railroad
across the Kiskiminetas River, and for the brick railroad station
located on Point Street and Plum Alley (now the Municipal Building).
Both contracts were sublet to local, noted master stone mason, John
Martin.

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad Company went bankrupt in
1859, but a new company was formed. In 1860, the Western
Pennsylvania Railroad Company continued the construction. on September
10, 1864, the first train crossed the high bridge into
Saltsburg.

Lock #8 was filled in, the gates on the north end of the lock
carefully lowered onto the floor of the lock, hoping no doubt that
they would be discovered someday. (They were in 1989 by
archeologists doing exploratory digs on the canal.) The large, fine
cut stones from the lock were removed and used to build the Soldiers
Monument in Edgewood Cemetery.

From 1882 until 195-54, Saltsburg had both freight and passenger
service. In 1954, the railroad was relocated, this time out of town.
The canal and the railroad were the great transportation systems of
the nineteenth century. Both were Saltsburg's link to the rest of
the economic world and were responsible for the little town's growth
and decline.

EVENT CALENDAR

ANNUAL HISTORIC CAR CRUISE

The Heritage Holiday Committee will be holding its Annual Car Cruise Friday, September 15 starting at 5:00pm on the Canal. There will also be music, food, 50/50 drawing and more.

TOWN WIDE YARD SALE

Saltsburg's annual town wide yard sale will be held Saturday, September 14 from 8:00am to 2:00pm. Maps will be available on the canal.

SALTSBURG MUSIC FESTIVAL

Rain or shine - Saturday, September 14 from 1:00pm to 9:00pm on Canal Park.

RECYCLING DAYS

Next Recycling Dates are September 20 (evening), 21 & 22.
Recycling bins will be set up on Water Street in the parking lot across from ParMar/BP. #1 and #2 plastics (no bags), glass, aluminum/tin/steel cans, newspapers and catalogs are accepted.

FALL CLEAN UP DAYS

September 27 for High Street and below.
October 4 for above High Street.
No construction materials, chemicals, oil, gas, hazardous materials, tires, paint freon or electronics.

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST

Every Tuesday, 9:00am-10:am, Saltsburg Social Center. $2.50 for home cooked French Toast or pancakes, bacon or sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, coffee, juice.

COMMUNITY DINNER

Every Wednesday,5:00pm-6:00pm. $3.50. You must call at least 24 hours in advance for dinner reservations.

Saltsburg's 39th ANNUAL CANAL DAYS

Games, Crafters, Food, Local Artisians and More... Check back for 2020's event schedule.

Saltsburg Borough Council meetings are held on the first Monday of the month. If the Monday is a holiday, the
meeting will be held on Tuesday.

Saltsburg PA

Things To Do

Dining

Relax and enjoy time with your friends and family at any of the several restaurants in Saltsburg.

GG's Gourmet Cafe - GG's Gourmet Cafe is located in the charming, historic canal town of Saltsburg, Pennsylvania. Our gourmet cuisine is comprised of family recipes and decades of tradition, staying true to our small town, homemade style.

The Olde Salt Restaurant - A Pub Style Restaurant located in Saltsburg's Historic District... Where your friends and family will become a part of ours. Serving Beer, Wine, and Mixed Drinks.

Point Street Tavern - Local craft beer on tap. A gathering place right off the river & trail in the heart of our charming, historic town.

Saltsburg Inn - Bar serving a variety of convenience foods. Known locally for their exceptional wings.

Hiking & Biking

So many trails, so little time...

Saltsburg is surrounded with miles of scenic trails for hiking and biking. Beginning in Saltsburg, you can travel on the West Penn Trail on any of the 3 trails intersecting Saltsburg:

Saltsburg Section - This portion of West Penn Trail spans from the Dick Mayer Section into Historic Saltsburg.

Saltsburg to Kiski Section - From the Saltsburg Trailhead, the trail extends through Historic Saltsburg, along the path of the canal.

Saltsburg to Black Legs Creek - After passing under the Route 286 bridge, the trail proceeds downriver, along the Kiskiminetas.

Additional trail sections include

Conemaugh River Lake Section - This section extends from Newport Road (approximately 2 miles outside of downtown Blairsville), across the Q-Span Pedestrian Bridge and, ultimately, to the Bow Ridge Tunnel and Switchback Sections of West Penn Trail.

Bow Ridge Switchback Section - Located at the entrance of an old railroad tunnel on the west end of the Conemaugh River Lake Section.

Explore

Discover the rich history of Saltsburg PA. Start at the Rebecca B. Hadden Stone House Museum (pictured) where you can examine centuries of artifacts. Take a walk through the Historic Saltsburg Canal and downtown area and find century’s of architecture. See how the 1889 Johnstown Flood affected the community where water levels reached 10 feet. Study how Saltsburg went from a small industrial center with its salt mines and glass works, along with surrounding coal mines, to a quiet suburban community located 35 east of Pittsburgh. Finally, see how the canals transformed into railroads and now into the West Penn Trail. There is a lot to explore in Saltsburg.

NEWS

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public service to the community. While every effort has been made to
provide accurate information, CENLYT Productions-ms designs cannot be
responsible for errors or omissions.

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